Balancing from Within: Energizing Vegetable Spread to Nourish Your Hormones

A Vegetable Spread to Restart Your Energy Daily

This week’s recipe, Boost Your Energy Vegetable Spread, will help you to harmonize your sex hormones.

This is a low-stress recipe that comes together super quick. Meals should be fun and enjoyable to keep blood sugar and cortisol under control, so your sex hormones can stabilize.

To regain optimal sex hormone levels, we must balance blood sugar and keep the adrenals nourished. For this recipe, just throw everything into a food processor, blend until smooth, and put in a flaxseed wrap, or coconut wrap, spread on a sheet of nori, or eat with sliced vegetables.

This recipe is high in foods that contain vitamin B5, pantothenic acid. Vitamin B5 is a crucial cofactor in converting cholesterol to pregnenolone to create cortisol and all of the sex hormones. Broccoli, sunflower seeds, and hemp seeds all provide vitamin B5.

The Boost Your Energy Vegetable Spread starts with zucchini. Zucchini is low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is rich in B vitamins which play a role in hormone synthesis and regulation, and it is alkaline and low-glycemic to aid in blood sugar balancing.

Broccoli is a leafy green and cruciferous vegetable that contains indole-3-carbinol, which helps regulate estrogen metabolism and balance estrogen levels in the body. Broccoli also contains vitamin B5, which is necessary to convert cholesterol into pregnenolone which is needed to create the sex hormones.

Dandelion or arugula are a bitter greens that helps stimulate the digestive juices which helps with better absorption of nutrients and blood sugar balancing. If blood sugar is not balanced, all hormones will be out of balance. These bitter greens are also very high in minerals which are needed as cofactors in balancing hormones.

Protein powder is added for extra amino acids which are needed to create sex hormones, and protein powder also adds to the creamy texture of this dip. Amino acids are involved in the synthesis of various hormones. For example, amino acids such as tyrosine and phenylalanine are essential for the synthesis of catecholamines, which are a type of hormone that are involved in the body's stress response.

In addition, amino acids such as arginine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid are involved in the production of nitric oxide, which plays a role in the regulation of blood flow and vascular health. Proper blood flow is important for the delivery of sex hormones to their target tissues and organs.

Furthermore, amino acids such as cysteine and methionine are involved in the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can negatively impact sex hormone balance and overall reproductive health.

Carrots are a good source of several B vitamins, which are important for energy metabolism, brain function, and overall health. They also add a delicious, sweet flavor and should be added only if they do not spike your blood sugar.

Tahini adds a delicious creaminess to this dip, too. It is rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that aids in reproductive health, including fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and male reproductive health. Vitamin E is also involved in immune function, cell signaling, and gene expression. Tahini is also high in zinc which is crucial for producing sex hormones.

Hemp seeds are dense powerhouses of nutrition. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamin E. All of which are essential for the production of sex hormones, including testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Hemp seeds also contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is an omega-6 fatty acid that may help balance hormones in the body and reduce symptoms of hormonal imbalances, such as PMS.

Sunflower seeds are nutrient-dense. They have amino acids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, fiber, and vitamin E. They are also high in several B vitamins including vitamin B5. Sunflower seeds are also high in magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc. Selenium is necessary for thyroid hormone and is important in supporting adrenal health.

Lemon juice is high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative stress, including the cells of the adrenal glands. It also plays a role in the synthesis of cortisol. Vitamin C is needed for the conversion of certain amino acids into cortisol, which is essential for the body's ability to handle stress. Vitamin C also supports immune function, which is closely linked to adrenal health.

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, and vitamin C helps support the immune system, potentially aiding in maintaining optimal adrenal function. The adrenals burn more vitamin C than any other organ, so it is important to provide plenty of vitamin C to keep the adrenals nourished. The lemon juice adds more antioxidants while the garlic is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and is immune boosting, which supports overall hormonal health.

Kelp, a type of seaweed, is rich in iodine and other minerals that are essential for healthy thyroid function, which plays a crucial role in regulating hormones and overall hormonal health. The addition of kelp powder provides iodine and lots of minerals to support the thyroid and adrenals.

The spices cumin, turmeric, and curry powder are anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants. These spices add wonderful flavor while also aiding in blood sugar balancing.

Sea salt is very high in minerals. During adrenal insufficiency, the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, which can also result in low blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances, including low sodium levels. The addition of sea salt adds minerals and helps to nourish the adrenals which help balance all of these hormones.

Try this Boost Your Energy Vegetable Spread to nourish the adrenals and re-establish your sex hormones.

Enjoy this recipe as is, or experiment with the ingredients and share your thoughts in comments.

 For additional resources to balance your adrenals and other hormones using the power of plants, download our free guide:

Plant Powered Hormone Balancing Foods